Archive for January, 2012

We hope you’ve memorized last week’s facts and tidbits for your next question and answer portion. While we can’t imagine a world where the Miss America Pageant isn’t popular, it’s great to pick up our history of pageants with the renewal of pageantry passion!

1935

The pageant was revived by Lenora Slaughter. At this time the nation was swept in the Hollywood fever and many thought the winners should win Hollywood screen tests. Without that even being offered many talent scouts attended the pageants to find new potential stars.

1938

Talent portion of the pageant became mandatory. This was to show these women were more than just pretty face and a beautiful body. It was thought that the winner of this pageant should win a $5000 college scholarship.

1945

Miss New York, Bess Myerson, won the first $5000 scholarship. She was also the first Jewish woman to be named Miss America.

1948

Miss America Director, Lenora Slaughter, made is mandatory that winners be crowned in their beauty pageant gowns rather than bathing suits. The public was unhappy but they went ahead with it– most likely because the dresses were just too pretty to not show off!

1951

Miss World Pageant was started in Britain.

1952

Miss Universe began and is still an ongoing pageant today. 29 nations took part in the first Miss Universe pageant.

Over the years the pageant has grown with bigger prizes, bigger sums of money involves, charities, brands, and other media outlets are more involved in the Miss America and Miss Universe pageants. Pageants have really grown over the years to not just be about beauty but also about the brains.

Fun and flirty isn’t your ticket to the prom crown, but class and elegance. You’re the sleek, sophisticated type who would prefer a fitted, long gown. We’ve pulled together our top picks for your winning, formal prom styles. How will you choose your prom dress?

A hot, yet formal style is the mermaid gown, sleek and fitted until about the mid-calf. This will show your peers you are a classy young woman but are still here to have a good time. Mac Duggal Prom has plenty of these styles to choose from. You can even mix it up a bit and get a form fitting printed dress. You’re always in good hands wearing a Mac Duggal dress. Then spice up this look a little more with some of our 2012 prom jewelry.

Do you want to float across the room looking light and carefree? You’ll float like a princess in one of the new 2012 flowing prom dresses. Our plus size flowing dresses don’t cling or show your every curve, they give your body an even shape, with lines that show off your gorgeous bod as you glide across the room. Night Moves has the best variety of flowing dresses to fit every size and shape.

No matter what dress you pick for prom, let your confidence shine through and you will be the most beautiful girl at the prom! What type of dress will you be wearing to your prom this year?

Today beauty pageants are judged on a variety of talents, beauty (aka how you look in the perfect pageant dress) and your knowledge, but this wasn’t always the case. In the beginning, beauty pageants were based on just the beauty and size of the participant. Since you’re going to be highly knowledgeable for the question and answer portion of the pageant, we’ve provided a timeline of how the beauty pageant has evolved for your reference. Study well, so you’re prepared for ALL questions!

1921

The tradition of the beauty pageant arrived in America and started in Atlantic City, NJ. The pageant was designed to keep tourists interested in the area beyond the summer months and Labor Day. The pageant’s goal? To find the best bathing beauty in America.

The title the winner would hold would be “Miss America.” Eight lovely ladies competed for the title the first year and Miss Washington D.C. was crowned the winner.

1923

Mary Katherine Campbell became the only woman to win the Miss America Title two consecutive years in a row.

The number of contestants grew to 70.

1929 -1932

During this time, there were no Miss American pageants due to the Great Depression. How sad!

1932

The Miss America pageants started again under new management. They didn’t see much success.

Next week, we’ll come back with the ‘comeback’ of the Miss America pageant!

Sometimes the prom queen is picked by the class, the school, or just picked at random. No matter if you win or lose it is important to feel like a princess. Let that confidence shine through and you will own prom. What better way to have a confidence boost than in one of our new 2012 prom dresses.

There are many fun, new styles to try out this prom season, what dress will be your pick?

There is the fun and flirty short prom gown style, such as the many cute ones in our Sherri Hill short dresses in stock selection! Pair one of these Sherri Hill gowns with some elaborate heels like in our 2012 prom shoe collection and you will for sure be the talk of the prom. Pair a short and flirty dress with cowgirl boots for a rockin’ country look that everyone will remember.

Another show stopping dress is a printed dress. Patterns are just a more fun style, and make you look all the more approachable as you can the night away. So be the social butterfly of the ball and swirl around the dance floor in your gorgeous printed dress. From animal print to floral, there are many prints to choose from. Find the print that best fits your personality! Designer Cassandra Stone has many of these great dresses in her 2012 collection.

None of these styles match your tastes? Check back next week for your best prom picks for elegance and formal styles.

Earlier this week celebrities walked the red carpet at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards. Many people changed dresses, wearing two or more looks that evening. DressProm.net is here to walk you through some of the fantastic fashions from that evening.

Vanessa Hudgens, who last year was nominated for Favorite Movie Star Under 25, was ravishing in a black sequined halter dress.

Embracing her beautiful figure, Demi Lovato was beautifully dressed in a coral-colored gown that hugged her curves in all of the right places. Lovato won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Pop Artist.

Star of The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev, won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama Actress. Dobrev looked good enough to eat (for a vampire to eat, that is) in a green dress trimmed with long lace sleeves.

Actress and country music artist, Jennifer Hough chose a silver metallic backless dress for the awards show.

As she posed for photos, Kaley Cuoco looked stunning in a peach gown decorated in floral designs. Cuoco was a People’s Choice Award nominee for Favorite TV Comedy Actress.

You can find many of the popular styles from this years People’s Choice Awards at DressProm.net.

Beauty pageants are made up of several competition categories. These categories vary from pageant to pageant, but they often include talent, interview, evening wear, and swimsuit competitions. There are certain things every contestant must keep in mind during each pageant competition. Here are some tips to help you come out on top in every competition category.

Talent Competition:

During the talent portion of the pageant, each contestant takes to the stage to showcase a hobby they’ve worked hard to achieve in. Some popular talents include singing, dancing, etc. Find a way to make your talent stand out from the competition.

No matter what talent you choose, make sure you engage and entertain the audience and judges with a well rehearsed performance.

Practice makes perfect.

Interview Competition:

Stay up to date on current events.

Don’t try to impress the judges with an answer you think they want to hear. Give them an answer that you truly believe.

Practice for this portion of the competition with a friend, and ask them to give you advice on your answers.

Before you purchase a dress, make sure you’re able to walk in it while wearing heels.

Practice walking in your dress and heels, so by the time the pageant comes you’ll be able to walk across the stage with poise and grace.

Swimsuit Competition:

Walking across a stage in front of a large audience can be difficult, but it’s even more difficult when you’re wearing a swimsuit and heels. Keep your head high and your shoulders back, and remember to walk gracefully.

Choose a swimsuit that complements your body shape and skin tone.

Tanning is an option, but make sure you don’t over tan or become burnt.

No matter what part of the competition, you should always have a confident smile on your face. The judges are looking for someone who can remain poised, confident and graceful in any situation. What are some of your favorite beauty pageant tips? Let us know with a comment.

There’s only a few days left until beautiful and talent women from each state will dress up in beautiful pageant gowns, and show off their talents for the 2012 Miss America Pageant.

Miss Tennessee – Erin Hatley, 20, from Bartlett, was a student at the University of Memphis when she was crowned Miss Tennessee. One day Erin hopes to become the executive director of a national non-profit organization. Her talent is classical vocal performance.

Miss Texas – Kendall Morris is a 20-year-old from Ennis. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors from Texas Christian University. Kendall’s future career goal is to become a broadcast journalist. Her talent is playing the piano.

Miss Utah – Danica Olsen, 21, from Tooele, is a student at Utah Valley University. Danica is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in speech communications, and a Master’s degree in mass communications. Her talent is dance.

Miss Vermont – Katie Levasseur is a 21-year-old from Burlington. When she was crowned Miss Vermont, Katie was a student at the University of Vermont. She is currently working to achieve her Master’s degree in public policy, and later hopes to become a public policy analyst. Katie’s talent is the Scottish Highland Dance.

Miss Virgin Islands – Camila Daniels, 18, from St. Thomas, is a student at Barnard College of Columbia University. One day Camila hopes to become an actuary or an asset manager. Her talent is playing the flute.

Miss Virginia – Elizabeth Crot, a 24-year-old from Chesapeake, was a student at James Madison University when she was crowned Miss Virginia. Elizabeth is currently studying for her Bachelor’s degree in diversity studies. Her talent is operatic vocal.

Miss Washington – Brittney Henry, 24, from Puyallup, was a student at California State University when she was crowned Miss Washington. In the future Brittney hopes to promote higher education. Her talent is playing the Celtic fiddle.

Miss West Virginia – Spenser Wempe is a 19-year-old from Shepherdstown. Spenser is a student at Shepherd University, where she studies political science and international relations. After graduating, she plans to serve in the United States Military, and then work for the U.S. Department of State. Spenser has set large goals, she wants to eventually become U.S. Secretary of State. Her talent is lyrical dance.

Miss Wisconsin – Laura Kaeppeler, 23, from Kenosha, is a graduate of Carthage College. As a student Laura was a member of the Dean’s List, won the Outstanding Music Major Award and was a Music Department Honor’s Recital Participant. One day she wants to work as a speech pathologist. Her talent is operatic vocal.

Miss Wyoming – Catherine Brown is a 24-year-old from Laramie. Catherine is a graduate of the University of Wyoming. She is currently studying to obtain a PH.D. in the area of traumatic brain injury. Her talent is pop vocal.

Now that you’re familiar with all of the 2012 Miss America Pageant Contestants, which one are you rooting for? PageantDeisgns.com would like to wish all contestants good luck. You can watch the 2012 Miss America Pageant on January 14th, as it’s aired live on ABC from the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Casino Resort.

There are many plus size women who don’t think much about fashion, and some don’t even take the latest fashion trends into consideration! It’s time to break out of that mind set and begin shopping all of the latest trends in plus size fashion. Here are some of the biggest plus size fashion trends of 2012, and how you can pull them off and look amazing.

This season, dazzling divas will be inspired by the past, rocking fashions from the 60s, 80s and even 20s. Some of these age old trends include flapper dresses, and outfits with beading and fringe.

The New Year brought us trendy pastel colors. Slip into a pastel colored dress and accessories with bracelets, earrings, a necklace and a cute clutch.

Tailored clothing with colorful prints and patterns is another adorable trend we have to look forward to.

A knitted dress will accent and highlight your curvy figure in all the right places.

Whether you wear a skirt, jacket, shirt, or trouser pants, plaid is coming back into style.

In addition to pastels, we’ll be seeing a lot of purple this season. You can find a wide variety of purple dresses at DressProm.net.

As you dress to impress in the New Year, keep these 2012 plus size fashion trends in mind. You can find many fantastic plus size dresses and fashion trends at DressProm.net.